TWO keen cyclists from Stroud will be pedaling nearly 350 miles from Bath to Paris to raise money for charity.

Alfie Stephens and Nicholas Salter are aiming to raise £800 from the hardy trek for the non-profits Access Bike and Severn Plus.

They will be riding on vintage road bikes they restored themselves while mentoring youngsters at the Access Bike workshop in Fromehall Mill.

Access Bike is a community project where volunteers repair unwanted bikes which are then used by young people who want a set of wheels.

It also runs personal development courses where youngsters can learn how to maintain and fix their bikes.

Severn Plus supports young people to participate in community-based activities.

Nicholas Salter, a volunteer at Access Bike, said: “There’s not many community hubs like this where you can come along, have a cup of tea and talk about bikes and school or work and integrate with such a range of ages.

“If we can get more people into cycling we can have better awareness on the roads, making Stroud a safer environment and allowing more people to enjoy this beautiful place.”

The pair will be cycling from Bath from Saturday, May 27 on a trip which will take four days to complete.

They will be teaming up with Sporting Family Change, who are organising the trip and will be making sure the boys are safe on their 343-mile trek from the West Country to the French capital.

Alfie Stephens, Access Bike project manager, said: “All funds raised will help to provide mentoring for people who are on the margins of our community, by boosting their self-esteem, confidence about their capabilities and their value in the workplace.

“All of this is achieved by being useful and active in our community.”

If you are aged 13-24 pop along on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2pm to 6pm to get involved or donate unwanted bikes.

The project runs on a shared-time basis where in return for being taught how to maintain a bike you are expected to help out another visitor learn the same skills.

For further information see bit.ly/2rqimfA or to donate to Alfie and Nicholas’ Bath to Paris fundraiser visit bit.ly/2qnXnNf.